Jermain Taylor back @ middleweight Dec. 30th

[Mars_ax]

I don't think Martinez would "wreck" Taylor...he may stop him late, but JT is a good boxer, a good boxer is a bad style matchup for Sergio IMO. Someone Sergio would wreck would be a plodding slow handed power puncher who Martinez could pick apart. Conversely a bad style for Taylor would be a combination throwing pressure fighter that never backs up.

I was a Taylor fan for the longest time, I hope he stays safe and I hope he can get a 3rd match with Pavlik and knock that cunt out!

3 Guys for JT to avoid: Peter Quillen, Genneday Golovkin, Dimitri Pirog (too durable).

3 Guys JT can hang with: Paul Williams (might not be a horrible fight), David Lemeiux, Nobuhiro Ishida

I bet Taylor has some kind of plan for getting another shot at a title at middleweight, it might even include a fight with Felix Sturm, who knows. I still think he might do well against Julio Jr., because of all his championship experience.

[johnsebastianmiran]

He will have to work on his stamina and concentration otherwise his performance will cause him to once again be as flat as an ironing board.

[Spicoli]

I think it's a big mistake to rush guys back and have them highlight a major network card. Even more so at middleweight. To me he needs to comeback off air and get loose with a bag boy or two, shake the rust and then have all eyes on and know himself all over again. I don't think he has much left in either case but why not give himself every last chance to be peak as possible. I think he gets marched into a big match on name alone and will have a very tough hill to climb.

[Mars_ax]

I think it's a big mistake to rush guys back and have them highlight a major network card. Even more so at middleweight. To me he needs to comeback off air and get loose with a bag boy or two, shake the rust and then have all eyes on and know himself all over again. I don't think he has much left in either case but why not give himself every last chance to be peak as possible. I think he gets marched into a big match on name alone and will have a very tough hill to climb.

This is a 10 rounder on SHOBOX, which isn't much better than fighting on ESPN FNF. Jermain's opponent, Jessie Nicklow is a 'can who won't last more than about 4 or 5 rounds, depending on when Taylor wants to knock him out. Perfect for "shaking off the rust."

[captainanddew]

I think it's a big mistake to rush guys back and have them highlight a major network card. Even more so at middleweight. To me he needs to comeback off air and get loose with a bag boy or two, shake the rust and then have all eyes on and know himself all over again. I don't think he has much left in either case but why not give himself every last chance to be peak as possible. I think he gets marched into a big match on name alone and will have a very tough hill to climb.

This is a 10 rounder on SHOBOX, which isn't much better than fighting on ESPN FNF. Jermain's opponent, Jessie Nicklow is a 'can who won't last more than about 4 or 5 rounds, depending on when Taylor wants to knock him out. Perfect for "shaking off the rust."

this comeback is a bad, bad, idea. He got destroyed 3 times and the final time there was some bleeding on the brain. I think he'll get past this fight relatively unscathed but he is going to get scarily KO'd before it is all over. I just hope he doesn't suffer permanent damage.

[Mars_ax]

I think it's a big mistake to rush guys back and have them highlight a major network card. Even more so at middleweight. To me he needs to comeback off air and get loose with a bag boy or two, shake the rust and then have all eyes on and know himself all over again. I don't think he has much left in either case but why not give himself every last chance to be peak as possible. I think he gets marched into a big match on name alone and will have a very tough hill to climb.

This is a 10 rounder on SHOBOX, which isn't much better than fighting on ESPN FNF. Jermain's opponent, Jessie Nicklow is a 'can who won't last more than about 4 or 5 rounds, depending on when Taylor wants to knock him out. Perfect for "shaking off the rust."

this comeback is a bad, bad, idea. He got destroyed 3 times and the final time there was some bleeding on the brain. I think he'll get past this fight relatively unscathed but he is going to get scarily KO'd before it is all over. I just hope he doesn't suffer permanent damage.

You've got a point Capt, Taylor has lost 4 out of his last 5 fights, and has been brutally knocked out in 3 of the losses. Seems like Jermain should be thanking his lucky stars that he's still got all his marbles, and ride off into the Arkansas sunset.

[Spicoli]

I think it's a big mistake to rush guys back and have them highlight a major network card. Even more so at middleweight. To me he needs to comeback off air and get loose with a bag boy or two, shake the rust and then have all eyes on and know himself all over again. I don't think he has much left in either case but why not give himself every last chance to be peak as possible. I think he gets marched into a big match on name alone and will have a very tough hill to climb.

This is a 10 rounder on SHOBOX, which isn't much better than fighting on ESPN FNF. Jermain's opponent, Jessie Nicklow is a 'can who won't last more than about 4 or 5 rounds, depending on when Taylor wants to knock him out. Perfect for "shaking off the rust."

I'm with ya on Nicklow being an imported doormat for Taylor. Unless the stars align he should dictate a win. The opponent really is secondary.

I've always had this pet peeve though when a guy is resurrecting the career and even more so when this is Taylors last call and final run to rebuild. I think there is a mentality to the spotlight and the big stage when a guy is under the microscope. Especially a Taylor who is all brass balls and might just think he once again belongs in the mix off a 'spectacular ko' or two. Taylor doesn't need to think he's there to impress or preform to anyones standards but his camps and himself at this critical stage after serious damage he's taken and being blasted the last time he was in. He's a high caliber fighter but needs to get back to roots on this final run, guys get exposure again and start running before they are fully 'back' upstairs, next thing you know Showtimes offering dates with another marquee name. Shit, I'm not saying dont get payed or take an opportunity but I think Taylor needs to be very selective and smart with what he's got left. We don't always need to see the sausage being made in the backroom. Rebuild. Its last call.

[El Kabong]

I always thought Jermain Taylor had the look of someone who could be good on FNF or something, I'm not sure how much his southern drawl would affect people listening to him, but surely there are better options available for him other than a comeback in boxing?

JT has been KTFO 3 times, but all vs pretty big punchers which 160 doesn't have a bunch of....don't get me wrong, there are guys JT should avoid, but others he might be able to handle. Taylor-Sturm I mean it seems like a good bout to me if Taylor is able ot compete again....Sturm isn't a huge power threat.

[Althugz]

What a fall from grace for Taylor - Only a few years back he was the undisputed middleweight champion of the world and now we're talking about him like this - Pretty sad

I don't think he has a bad chin, he has taken some big shots and stayed upright..it's the gassing out late which is his big problem.

He also has the equivalent survival instincts of Frank Bruno with a hangover - Once he's rolling, he has that same glassy eyed look that Bruno always used to get when hurt.

[Rantcatrat]

I always thought Jermain Taylor had the look of someone who could be good on FNF or something, I'm not sure how much his southern drawl would affect people listening to him, but surely there are better options available for him other than a comeback in boxing?

JT has been KTFO 3 times, but all vs pretty big punchers which 160 doesn't have a bunch of....don't get me wrong, there are guys JT should avoid, but others he might be able to handle. Taylor-Sturm I mean it seems like a good bout to me if Taylor is able ot compete again....Sturm isn't a huge power threat.

Actually Lyle, this makes sense. I didn't think of this way. If he can make 160 safetly there are people at 160 that would earn him some money that don't have big power, someone like Felix Sturm. Stay away from Dmitry Pirog, Gennady Golovkin and Sergio Martinez.

[Tam Seddon]

The problem for Taylor is as we know is that he no longer has stamina and hes no longer a 12 round championship level fighter as proven in his last outings. Going down to 160 I don't see that problem getting any better, i think it will get worse! He will beat mediocre opposition, but put him with any top ranked 160 fighter they would outwork him to a late stoppage. Taylor for the first half of a fight is outstanding, will cause any fighter problems but he just cant sustain the early pace he sets in fights and it costs him. I like Taylor, but I don't like seeing him brutally getting KTFO. I wish him luck , but he was in a bad way after the Abraham fight and that will take a lot mentally and I think quite possibly for Taylor physically. Froch, Pavlik and Abraham did a lot of damage to him.

[Mars_ax]

If anyone is interested this card starts tonight @ 11:00 PM ET or about 3 1/2 hours from now.

Dec. 30
At Cabazon, Calif. (Showtime): Jermain Taylor vs. Jesse Nicklow, 10 rounds, middleweights; Andre Dirrell vs. Darryl Cunningham, 10 rounds, super middleweights; Luis Garcia vs. Alexander Johnson, 8 rounds, light heavyweights